is it possible to have different resolutions for pc & tv?

[004]

Hi
I have just connected my computer to my tv using a hdmi cord. After figuring out (thanks to the help of this & other forums) how to get both screens happening and how to toggle sound from one to the other, I just have one final obstacle to the set up. The picture in the tv is fine, if a little pixelated, but after linking them, the pc screen is looking squeezed in. If I go to the screen resolution, does the dropdown box only give me sizes that both devices can handle? It tells me that my optimum resolution is 1280x1024 but that is not a choice in the drop down box and it has changed to 1280x 768. Is there an easy toggle like the sound to change from one setting to another as the pc is mainly used as a pc but I wanted to get it set up to occasionally watch tv programs we miss on the tv instead of squeezed around the computer.
I appreciate any advice.

 

[CLassicD]

If you use your HDMI to watch programs on your TV I would disregard what resolution your have on your pc and use the TV as your monitor until you are finished.
If your resolution doesn't change back to normal on your PC when you unplug your HDMI from the TV then there is a problem. This can be resolved in your display settings as both your devices should work to there optimum performance regardless of each other.
The way to switch your sound is to make sure your default sound device is HDMI before plugging in your cable. I find this works better but maybe that just the way my sony amp works.

 

[stormy13]

004 welcome to the Seven Forums.

Sounds like you have it set to clone/duplicate mode, which is both displays showing the same thing and limited to the lower of whichever display's highest resolution. For example if your monitor is 1920x1080 and your TV is 1366x768, then both will only run at the lower. If that is the case you need to set it to extended mode so that both can be run at their native resolutions.

Just as an example here are three displays in extended mode at the same time all with a different resolution,



from left to right they are; 1366x768, 1680x1050, and 1400x900.

 

[004]

Thanks for your replies.
ClassicD, I'm intending to leave it plugged in but the computer doesn't recognise the tv screen in the control panel unless it is turned on to hdmi input. Without that there, the original setting still seems to have disappeared from my options but I can live with slightly skinnny display on monitor to get good display on telly.



Stormy13, is this the place (below) where I should choose extend? When I do it here, the pc screen goes to desktop background with no icons and tv shows computer display, so I have to run to & from tv to see what it says then try & get the mouse in the right spot! Early on in the setup I had it the other way around (desktop background on the tv, computer display on the monitor) but not sure how I did this & can't seem to get the monitor as the main display.

Is there something else I need to change somewhere else first? I have tried a few different things using different bits of advice & can't really remember exactly what it was anymore.
And I thought I was capable of doing stuff on the computer!
Thanks for any advice.

 

[stormy13]

When I do it here, the pc screen goes to desktop background with no icons and tv shows computer display,

For whatever reason Windows has decided that the TV is the primary display, but it is an easy fix. Right click on the desktop and select "screen resolution", there should be a setting that allows you to set which is the primary. Click on the your monitor and then set it as the primary. That will get the desktop/taskbar/etc back on your computer instead of the TV.

 

[004]

Thanks, Stormy13, it worked! Displays are both at their optimum again.